This demo shows how to use MathWorks products to solve a path-planning problem.

The objective is to find the optimal path (path of least time) through a randomly generated vector field of wind values.

Scripts are included which show how to set up both a time-independent and time-dependent version of the optimization problem.

Moreover, a GUI (created with GUIDE) is included to show an example of creating an interactive way to do this analysis. The path may be defined by dragging control points with the mouse, and the parameters (path distance and time) are updated on-the-fly.

Requires: Optimization Toolbox.

Optional:
Global Optimation Toolbox (use MultiStart to run several trials to search for a globally optimal solution)